Spinach Salad with Bacon, Apple, Cheddar, Cranberries and Honey Dijon Dressing

This isn’t your average side salad-it’s a full-fledged meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Tender fresh spinach is paired with sweet-tart apple slices, smoky bacon, tangy white cheddar, chewy dried cranberries and crunchy walnuts. Everything is tossed in a creamy honey Dijon dressing that ties all the flavors together beautifully.

With contrasting textures and a balance of savory, sweet and tangy, this salad is as satisfying as it is delicious. Best of all, it comes together in just 20 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want something fresh and flavorful without a lot of fuss.

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Ingredients

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 ounce WalnutsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Granny Smith AppleView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 ounce SpinachView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup White Cheddar CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 ounce Honey Dijon DressingView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce Dried CranberriesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the produce. Halve the apple, remove the core and thinly slice it.
2. Heat a medium dry nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Using kitchen shears, cut the bacon into bite-size pieces directly into the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat if browning too quickly, until crispy, 4-6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate.
3. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, apple slices, bacon, half of the cheddar, half of the dried cranberries and half of the walnuts. Add as much honey Dijon dressing as you like and toss to combine. Season lightly with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Divide the salad between shallow bowls. Top with the remaining cheddar, remaining cranberries and remaining walnuts. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes, any crisp apple variety like Fuji or Honeycrisp works well, but Granny Smith adds a nice tartness that balances the sweet dressing.

How can I make this salad vegetarian?

Simply omit the bacon or substitute with a plant-based bacon alternative. The salad will still be delicious.

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?

You can prep the ingredients in advance, but toss the salad with dressing just before serving to keep the spinach crisp.